new lifestyle/photography/personal/random blog.

I have a new blog, and I partnered with my boyfriend, Mike, who is a talented photographer with this little project. We are a long distance couple, who hopes to be in one place soon. In the meantime, we live in two of the best states: California and Washington. The blog is our space to share our thoughts, personal lives, our lifestyle, photos, and other forms of inspiration and randomness. We have lists, travel guides, gift guides, long distance relationship tips every now and then, and of course, Mike's photography.

Check us out by clicking on the link, and please follow us if you like what you see! 

Bridging the Gap

Catching Fire + how I hated Mockingjay and want to reread it now

I was able to see Catching Fire the day it came out, in the morning, so the theater was practically empty. It was wonderful being able to watch it peacefully. As far as the movie goes, it was so awesome! I can not stop gushing about how well it was adapted, in my opinion.

Jennifer Lawrence really does portray Katniss' different characteristics, and it's nice to see her character evolve from the first film. I also loved Johanna and Finnick so much! I thought they were perfect. 

Also, Josh Hutcherson, has proven once again for me, that he really is the best choice for Peeta. I feel for him, empathize, and truly root for him. 

I loved it so much I had to see it again with my sister two weeks later. It was still good, if not better, because I was able to notice little details I didn't notice before.

As far as Mockingjay goes, I am excited to see how they adapt it to a film again. I have no doubts they will do a good job, but here's where I have an issue: I feel very indifferent about the book. I liked it in a way, but I also hated it. To me, it was just lacking a bit. Something was definitely missing. In the end, I felt completely underwhelmed. I also just didn't like the outcome of it all: I understand that the point of the novels is pretty much to show what war does to both sides, but I didn't like how it was executed. That being said, I am thinking about rereading Mockingjay just to remind myself again of the story, and maybe, I will change my mind. Or I won't. I'll let you know. 

Did you see Catching Fire? What did you think about it? What was your favorite part? Did you like Finnick and Johanna? And what did you think of Mockingjay? Do you agree with me or not? Let me know!

Sort These Fictional Characters: Tag: Marvel Edition

I have a fun challenge for you fellow Harry Potter fans. I had this interesting conversation with a few friends a few weeks ago. If we were to sort some of our favorite fictional characters into Hogwarts houses, where would they go? Why would they go there? So I'll go ahead and ask you too.

Today I think we should sort our Marvel characters from the Marvel universe. It's a pretty expansive universe, and so I know there's so many more to list, but these are just some of the ones I can think of sorting. If you would like to add more characters to your own list, feel free to do so!  

I'll tell you what I think, and I challenge you to sort them yourself and explain your choices.

1. Iron Man - I think Iron Man/Tony Stark is a mix between a Slytherin and a Gryffindor, but I think that he will get sorted into Slytherin. He is naturally ambitious, clever, determined, and cunning. Those are the main qualities Slytherins have. 

2. Thor - Gryffindor. He is courageous, fights for the greater good, and is confident he will be able to do anything. 

3. Black Widow - Slytherin. She is a spy, she manipulates people, and she will do whatever she can to get what she wants. 

4. Bruce Banner (human form, not the Hulk) - Ravenclaw. I feel like Bruce Banner (in human form) is the epitome of a Ravenclaw. He likes to keep to himself, and he is a very smart, intelligent scientist. 

5. Hawkeye - Hufflepuff. I don't know much about Hawkeye, but I always feel like he is one of the most loyal of the bunch. He has stuck with Black Widow/Natasha for years, and he always stays with whoever he is sided with. 

6. Captain America - Pure Gryffindor! 

7. Loki - The most perfect Slytherin, hands down. 

8. Spiderman and Peter Parker - I think Spiderman is a Gryffindor, while Peter Parker is a Ravenclaw. 

9. Wolverine - I honestly have a hard time sorting Wolverine, because he is such a complex character. I do feel like he belongs in Gryffindor though. He is brave, and doesn't really fear anything. He will do what it takes to fight for what he thinks is right.

10. Batman - This is another one I had a hard time with. I think that Batman is a mix of all houses. He is smart, is loyal, is brave, fights for the greater good, and is also very ambitious all at the same time. I can't sort him confidently, but maybe he could go to Ravenclaw. What do you guys think?

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Do you agree with my choices? I tag you all to do this challenge! Post comments below, or link me to a separate post if you make one. If you want to sort other characters from the Marvel universe, feel free to do so. Next week, we'll try to sort Lord of the Rings characters! Have fun!

will always go back to this feeling I feel about books.

After a busy day at work and a good night watching the new movie, About Time, with my best friend, I finally got to go home and relax. Granted I work tomorrow (Sunday at 8:30am), but there are just some things I will never stop loving. 

I have been away from this blog for a long time - in a way, I took a long break unwillingly. I have always loved blogging, but life has been busy, and I have taken a step back. Lately though, I have been feeling inspired by so many things that it's causing me to discover new books, new blogs, and a new energy to blog again. I also have been rereading old favorites, which I think, always helps spark creativity. Tonight, these two precious books are keeping me company. 

No matter what, there is truly something about going back to pick up a familiar book. It almost feels like saying a little hello to an old friend you haven't spoken to in a while. It's such a comforting, peaceful feeling - being there in your version of a safe place.

battle of two shows to watch on Netflix right now.

If you are like me, you constantly find yourself on Netflix, trying to find the next best thing. That or you're just so bored you feel like you are willing to watch anything. Well, I find myself in that position all the time. Recently, I have finished the first seasons of two shows that were recommended to me by some friends. 

VS

Both are pretty popular at the moment, but I would suggest skipping Scandal and highly recommend Orange is the New Black.

To be fair, both premises are very intriguing and interesting - that's the main reason I decided to try them both and stick through until the end of the first season. The only thing is, I feel like Scandal has too many one dimensional characters that I don't even find very likable. The writing and directing as well, just seems so forced to me. Orange has so many multilayered characters to discover. It's awesome writing, and it doesn't feel so contrived. 

Just my opinion, of course. 

If you've seen these two unique shows, which one do you prefer, and which one would you recommend? 

word of the day.

I've posted about some of my favorite words and some of the worst ones before. I just love words. There's something about them.

Today, I came across this word today while looking for new words to teach some of my 5th-7th grade students at work. I've heard of it before, but nobody really ever uses it in real life, so I never really hear it. But you know when you come across a word and it just strikes you? Maybe because it sounds nice, or it's pleasant to say, or maybe you just like what it means... for whatever reason, this word stood out to me. And even though it does have different definitions, this one caught my attention. 

Adamantine

(adj.)

unbreakable

It's a nice word to describe a strong bond, or a strong relationship. It's also a nice way to describe somebody who is strong, and someone who never gives up. 

I like it. 

in love with Washington state

I feel like I just have to share these photos with you, and talk about my love for the evergreen state. Washington state is absolutely beautiful. To be honest, I didn't know much about this state in the Pacific Northwest until last year when I visited for the first time. I've gone back a couple times already, and every single visit, I fall in love with it more and more. 

The scenery everywhere you go is simply breathtaking, from all the trees to the Olympic mountains from afar. Plus, the air feels just so much cleaner up there. The people are nice and polite too. And the weather... yes, they get rain (which I actually love!), warm summers, changing leaves during autumn, and sometimes even snow in the winter time. Since I live in California, I've never experienced the whole 'four season' thing. 

Here's some photographs taken by my boyfriend.

Have you ever fallen in love with a place before, like I have? Tell me about it!

freewrite.

Time and distance

hardest things to compete with

temporary stage, though it feels like it’s here for good

it never gets easier, never gets older, never gets smoother

pain is inevitable

loneliness is real, and it’s come to find me once again. 

It always does, at the end of the day

real happiness, real bliss, the one I feel for a little time 

when you’re here or I’m there,

does not matter where. 

I just long for it so much to stay.

5 min free write on Aug. 29, 2013. Photo taken by Michael Hitchner

Young Adult Heroines: Apparently all the same?

Browsing through my personal Facebook, I saw this link shared by a fellow reader. The link has Katniss Everdeen's face on it, and the title of the article is "Why Do All The Girls Who Save the World Look a Certain Way?" Immediately, I was intrigued and clicked on it, hoping that it would be accurate. However, it wasn't... at least, in my opinion.

Below is the photo of the diagram. You can click it to make it bigger. For the actual article, click here to go to the original source. 

I found so many things wrong here. Katniss Everdeen as shy? Hermione Granger has low self-esteem? There was a Harry/Ron/Hermione love triangle? Lena Duchannes didn't have a supportive partner? Bella Swan is a fighter? Hmm...

To no surprise, if you read the comments for the article, everyone's pretty much saying the same thing. I just find it interesting, and thought I'd share with you all. Take the time to look at the diagram, and I would love to hear what you think! :)

Movie Review: Man of Steel

First off, let me just say that I definitely consider myself as a Marvel girl - I've always preferred and loved Marvel characters for some reason. DC Comics never quite made it for me. So I have to admit, I didn't really have any expectations. 

Having seen the original Superman movies, as well as the remake in 2004 (which wasn't very good at all in my opinion), I just went into this looking to be entertained. And I was entertained. I really liked the overall premise of the story, and liked that they ventured towards the genesis of the characters. 

The effects are pretty cool too - I don't know much about special effects to be honest, so I can't say much about it. For viewers that love good action scenes, this one has a lot of those. 

As for the actors that played the characters, I thought Henry Cavill was the perfect Superman. He was, of course, easy to look at. He also played the confused, out of place 'I just want to know where I came from' character well. I could feel his woes and understand his actions, and it was easy for me to empathize with him.

Lois Lane was played by Amy Adams. A lot of people have mixed feelings about this, but I actually really liked it. Amy Adams has a unique look to her, and she portrayed Lois' character well. I loved the fact that she also seemed a bit more of a stronger character. She contributed something, and helped Superman in many ways. She wasn't just a female character that needed to be saved every few seconds. 

However, the two of them together was alright for me. I did not feel any sort of chemistry or connection between the two actors, so it was a little challenging for me to root for them. 

One of the things that I absolutely loved though was that there weren't really any funny or comical scenes or dialogues. It was honestly a nice change. Aside from a few cheesy lines, I loved that they didn't coddle the viewers. It took itself seriously. It seemed like it was created for people that already know a bit about Superman and the franchise. In other words, it felt a lot like it was written and made for a Superman fan. So yes, I recommend it. It has a modernized feel to it, and definitely a little different from the previous Superman movies (this is after all a reboot), but I'm excited to see a sequel come out of this for sure. It will be interesting to see Lois Lane's character develop, as well as her relationship with Superman and Clark Kent.

Rating: 3.5 stars

I say go. It's worth it. 

Easter + Spring

Spring is slowly saying hello to us all. Here's a little video I made, just because I was inspired by the sort of Spring weather, floral designs everywhere, and my backyard. 

never go to bed alone.

LOVE this email I got today. I thought you would appreciate it. Happy Friday!

addicted to PINTEREST.

I just signed up for this one. I've been using it even before I started my own account, and it's so addicting! If you have a pinterest account, share it below. I'd like to follow you!

Here is mine.

Happy Monday! 

currently reading this wonderfully written book!

I am not even halfway done with this book, but I am already in love with it.

I hope it ends well, and that I end up loving it when I'm done with it, but so far, it's awesome.

I love the writing especially, and the fact that it is incredibly bookish.

I mean, look at this part here! (contains no spoilers by the way)

I am sure some of you will feel like you could have written this part! I know when I read it, I automatically got up and took a photo of it. I knew I had to show you guys.

Ereaders can be awesome, but it's certainly not for everyone!

:)

Hope you are having a wonderful week so far. 

buying books is both good and bad.

The whole season of fall, I don't think I really bought any books. That is a pretty big deal, especially for me. I just wasn't into it at all, and couldn't find anything that captured my interest. This past January though, and this February, I have been slowly getting back to one of my favorite things.

BOOK BUYING.

Now this can be a good thing, and a bad thing at the same time.

Good for me since I am back to reading and loving it, but bad... for my wallet!

I mean, do I really need another book? I don't have space on my bookshelves anymore, and I really need to think about getting bins for my other books to keep somewhere else or something. But I couldn't help myself. To be honest, I am pretty excited about this growing enthusiasm. It's about time it came back!

Here's the books I got so far in 2013. It's not much, but it's a good place to start after a horrible reading slump. 

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Villette by Charlotte Bronte

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

World War Z by Max Brooks

What books have you bought so far this year? 

And is book buying exciting as exciting for you as actually reading it? For me it is! I'd like to hear from you. 

currently reading + intriguing introductions!

This book, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, is what I'm currently reading right now.
A lot of people have been giving this book 5 star ratings, and since it's going to be a movie, starring Brad Pitt, I thought I should go ahead and read it too, since I am planning to watch it when it comes out. The trailer looks really cool, and the book's synopsis made me want to dig in. And while I haven't even really started reading yet, I want to go ahead and point out how incredibly intriguing this 'introduction' is! 

 It goes by many names: "The Crisis," "The Dark Years," "The Walking Plague," as well as newer and more hip titles such as "World War Z" or "Z War One."I personally dislike this last moniker as it implies an inevitable "Z War Two." For me, it will always be "The Zombie War," and while many may protest the scientific accuracy of the word zombie, they will be hard pressed to discover a more globally accepted term for the creatures that almost caused our extinction. Zombie remains a devastating word, unrivaled in its power to conjure up so many memories or emotions, and it is these memories, and emotions, that are the subject of this book.

This record of the greatest conflict in human history owes its genesis to a much smaller, much more personal conflict between me and the chairperson of the United Nation's Postwar Commission Report.

If that doesn't make you want to read more, I don't know what will! 

Are there any books in particular that you remember grabbed you right from the beginning? And also, out of curiosity, what are you all reading this week? 

Happy Friday!

valentine's day and my favorite love stories.

I feel like anytime I post a list of my favorite love stories, they always remain the same. Here are the ones that are constant, no matter what. 

Ron and Hermione from the Harry Potter series.
Henry and Claire from The Time Traveler's Wife.
Jamie and Langdon from A Walk to Remember.
Liesel and Rudy from The Book Thief.
Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre. 
Snape and Lily from the Harry Potter series.

I would love to hear your favorite love stories (or couples). 

I would also love to hear what you all are up to today? Today I am treating myself to Starbucks, and a book (or two). Happy Thursday, and Happy Valentine's Day! 

Movie Recommendation: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

If I can recommend one movie that I saw in 2012 that I think you should see, it's probably The Perks of being a Wallflower. It's surprisingly underrated, and I don't think a lot of people paid the attention it deserves. So this post, is dedicated mainly to tell you that you must watch this when it comes out on DVD on February 10th. 

I went into watching this film without really expecting anything, mainly because I always have lower expectations for movie adaptations. And I loved this book when I first read it when I was in high school. But I was pleasantly surprised for sure. This movie was flawless, in my opinion. Everything about it... I absolutely loved.

I love the pace, the overall development, the cinematography, the soundtrack, the writing. Most especially though, I loved the actors that played these dear characters. I give kudos to all of them, but especially to Logan Lerman, who plays the story's lovable main character. I don't want to say much about it, since I really don't want to give away anything, but let's just say his portrayal of him was heartbreakingly realistic. 

Watch it! And then let me know what you think of it. If you have seen it, let me know what you thought. I understand some people have said they took a couple of stuff out from the book, but I think that they did an awesome job fitting in what was essential. I can't wait to re-watch this! 

just finished and about to read!

I finally finished Beautiful Creatures. I really wanted to read this since the movie's out and all, and a lot of people have told me to read it. I don't know if I really "liked it-liked it" as much as maybe others did, but I thought it offered something kind of unique. I might watch the movie when it comes out on DVD or something, since I'm curious to see how the actors will portray these characters. I would recommend this book to paranormal/fantasy/YA readers and fans. I think I'm a bit tired of this genre at the moment, so I'm not all enthusiastic about it, but if you are, I say try it out!

(thoughts on movie tie-in editions? not a fan, but sometimes they're the only ones available!)

I also just bought Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, and I can not wait to read this. The premise is so intriguing, and it has been getting extremely positive reviews. Hopefully it lives up the hype. 

If you've read these two books, what did you think? Yay or nay? What are you currently reading right now? What the last book you read? What did you think of it? Hope you are having a good week so far!

Outfit Ideas: Hogwarts Houses

Sometimes thinking of what to wear can be incredibly boring and mundane. That's why sometimes, when I'm feeling blah and just want inspiration from something, I look towards books. 

For this post, I want to show some outfit ideas I put together that are inspired by the Hogwarts houses in the Harry Potter series. They may or may not be completely accurate, but when I see these pieces together, I always think of the color themes for the four houses. I thought I would share some with you.

Ravenclaw

Ravenclaw was a bit of a challenge. Blue and bronze aren't necessarily the easiest colors to put together. I also realized that while I have a lot of blues, I have no bronze colors in my closet. This was the only thing that came close to an acceptable bronze-y color.

Hufflepuff

This is more of a tough-Hufflepuff look. Leather jacket (faux), combat boots, black skinny jeans. I like it paired with the more feminine-looking yellow cami.

Slytherin

This is for the very girly Slytherin. The cardigan is more olive than Slytherin-green, but when worn altogether, I think it works. 

Gryffindor

I would pair this up with gold flats as I think it will just look so much better, but the nude flats is all I have. Also, a maroon sweater would look extra polished, so I would wear that instead of this hoodie for a different look. Red lips would be a nice touch, and a gold headband would be kind of cute.

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I would like to hear what you think! Do you think these are close enough to the houses' colors? Do you incorporate bookish things to your outfit? And if you have suggestions as to what book or character I should try to do next, please let me know! 

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Readers

February 14th is coming up, and I figured a post on gift ideas for the reader/s in your life would be appropriate. Note that this doesn't only apply to this 'holiday,' but pretty much to any day of the year. Here's some things I myself would appreciate, and I know a lot of readers would as well.

1. Art.

A painting or a photograph of a book shop/library, or a print of his/her favorite book. I like the idea of this one sold on Etsy. I also really like the idea of having a copy of his/her favorite poem, printed and framed. You can write on it (if you have flawless handwriting) or print it nicely.  Wall decals are also kind of cool. 

2. Write something. 

If you think you are able to come up with a letter that expresses how you feel about somebody, or write a short story, a poem, an ode, or whatever... WRITE IT. Any reader will agree with me that there's nothing more special than the art of words. Remember though, write it ONLY if you mean it ;)

3. Book Jewelry. 

You can't go wrong with this one. Book jewelries are so precious. I personally wish I could buy them all. I would suggest that if you know a specific title that he/she likes, to search for it on Etsy. Most likely, something special will come up. 

4. A trip to a bookstore/library. Or a book event.

Any reader appreciates a bookstore trip. What would be even better is that if you can go to a bookstore or a library that he/she has never been to. A simple trip to this place will be special. If both of you have time, make a day out of it. Go to the store, get him/her a book or two, and proceed to # 5.

5. A coffee or cafe date. With a book.

I don't know about you, but I always love it when I can take the time to go to a coffee shop, sit down, and just read. There's something about this seemingly simple activity that I'm in love with. If you are with a writer, sit with him/her as he/she writes. It will mean more to him/her than you think. 

6. Books

If you really can't come up with any other ideas, that's okay. A book is always a good idea. 

Do you have other gift ideas to add on here? Also, what's the best reading or book-related gift you have ever gotten? Do share! 

stress and book buying.

I buy books all the time, but there's something about splurging a little when you're feeling a little stressed.

I am guilty of this!

While I very much enjoy going to the mall and shop for clothes here and there, I will say my biggest form of retail therapy is buying books. I am sure you all understand this problem - buying more books than you really need. That saying, "So many books, so little time" definitely rings true, especially when your book order comes in the mail and you realize you have no more space for them in your room/house. Not to mention that you don't really have the time to read one more book... when you have about 100 ones you should be paying attention to first. 

I know this is kind of random, but I want to know and hear from you guys because I know for sure I am not alone in this! Do you ever treat yourself to a little retail therapy when stressed out? Do you keep buying books when you don't necessarily need another one? Tell me. 

stopping in the middle of a read.

Do you ever do this? Stop reading a book without finishing it? If so, when do you do it? What makes you decide to just drop the book and give up on it?

I personally have a hard time just 'giving up' on a not-so-good read. I always hope that it will get better, or will pick up, or I will somehow end up liking it. Sometimes though, I have to admit, a bad book is just that - a bad book. If I feel like the story isn't going anywhere, or the direction it's going to isn't something I am remotely interested in, I feel like it's time to put it down.

One example I can think of that made me give up on it is the very popular, The City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I'm not sure to this day why people love it so much, as I couldn't get into it at all, but to each his own! 

I don't really do this often, because I feel like every book has something to offer, but I know I've thought about it a lot. I also have to admit there have been books that I first wanted to put down but ended up sticking with stuck, and ended up adoring. So for the most part, I try to keep at it. 

Do you have any particular books that made you just simply give up on it, or get close to giving up on it and putting it down? I'd like to hear your thoughts. 

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

This book! I really, really liked it. I read it in a week and probably will reread it again sometime. First off, the story is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. It's realistic, and I really liked how the author handled the issues and topics talked about here, such as depression, among others related to this. I felt like everything was handled perfectly.

While the story could just be like any other contemporary fiction, I think what truly made it stand out to me was its main character, Pat. I fell in love with its main character the moment I first started reading about his thoughts. His voice seems so painfully real to me, as if he is simply somebody I knew personally. He is likable enough, and I just couldn't help but not only empathize with him and his situation, but also root for him all the way. It's truly something when you are able to hope for the best for a character. 

Everything about this book I truly enjoyed, but I definitely loved the main character and the fact that the author had given him such a loud, realistic voice. I highly recommend this if you enjoy contemporary fiction. 

P.S. - The movie was also lovely. Jennifer Lawrence is my favorite and she plays the supporting character flawlessly. Bradley Cooper is Bradley Cooper, and that's enough. 

Who should I follow?

I feel like I'm slowly getting back into blogging again after a long hiatus, and notice that I think I really need to update my feed and the blogs I follow. This of course means I need help from you. Do you have any favorite blogs out there?

I love bookish blogs (not necessarily just review blogs). I like when the blogger has a personable voice, and talks about random things and even personal stuff every now and then. If you feel like your blog is this, or you know of any, please leave the links below.

Also, I still have the giveaway going on. Click here if you'd like to enter. Other than that, I hope you are reading amazing books this week. 

Bookish Things I Own and Love

As a book lover, bibliophile, and reader, I can't help but be drawn towards bookish things. If they're reading and/or writing related, I'm all for it. Here's some bookish things I own. Some I bought, but most are gifts from family and friends that just know me very well. 

 My Deathly Hallows necklace from Hot Topic! 

 A beautiful handmade gift that has all my favorite book quotes. 

 Sorry it's so inappropriately wrinkly! I bought this at a bookstore in Seattle. I will be doing a review on it on my next post maybe! 

 Got this butterbeer mug as a souvenir from our April 2012 trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

 Hogwarts hoodie from Hot Topic. 

 Jane Eyre scarf from a shop on Etsy. It was a birthday gift and don't recall the Etsy store name.

 A typewriter mug from Barnes and Noble.

 Two book-looking storage boxes. I think I got it at Michael's. 

 A gift from someone who knows me so well. Hogwarts houses bookmarks. So lovely.

 Another gift from a friend. I believe it's also from an Etsy store, but I don't know which one. But if you search for Harry Potter bracelets or jewelry, a lot of them will show up! 

A gift from my aunt. I'm not sure what it is, but they're little handmade Harry Potter copies. There's also only 6 of them, because my niece played with them and lost one of them somehow in my room.

And a wand. It's Harry Potter's official one from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Also a gift. 

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As you can see, most of this stuff are Harry Potter related things. Haha. I'd love to see the bookish things that you own as well. You can share links below to your own posts (if you have one or if you write one after this) or tweet - @ramblings2010 - or instagram - @jillmray - me the photo! 

Blog Birthday + small giveaway

It's official. Random Ramblings is now three years old. Yesterday the 10th was its birthday, and I am so excited that even after a few years, we're still here! Blogging and reading slumps come and go, but the readers and followers of this little blog seem to always stick with me. So thank you if you are one of the 682 followers that have stayed around here, whether you've been here all three years or just followed recently. I loved hearing your thoughts, opinions, recommendations, suggestions, advice, arguments, rants, and raves, and I am looking forward to hearing more of all of the above in the coming years.

Also, I haven't done a giveaway in a while so I thought I'd do a small celebratory one. All you have to do is to be a follower of this blog. Write down your preferred contact email down below. If you've been reading here for a while - just out of curiosity -  please let me know if you have any particular favorite post/series of posts on here. If you don't recall, an email will do. The first prize is a book or item of your choice at Book Depository for up to $20. If there's more than 50 entries, one can win a book/item of choice for up to $10 worth at Book Depository.

Thanks again. Happy New Year! <3>

rate 2012 + resolutions?

We here rate books all the time. I figured though since it's 2013 and we're all looking forward to a fresh new year ahead, I would ask you guys two things:

1. If you could rate your entire 2012 from 1 to 10 (1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest) what would you rate it? You can elaborate on why you rated it that way, but I guess I'm just curious.

2. Do you have any new year's resolutions? And do you firmly believe you would keep it?

I would rate 2012 with an 8. An 8 is awesome, I think. There's plenty of room to grow and improve, but overall, it was a happy time. Compared to 2011 (which I will rate as a 5.5) that is a huge step up. I am most definitely looking forward to this year. And as far as resolutions go, mine would be to blog more. I love blogging. I can't quit it. I hate it when I have a blogging slump. So my goal is to inspire myself even more to continue on here. Try something new. Write more. Write better. Learn basic photography. Comment on people's posts. And of course, be happy.

Cheers to the new year!

The Bell Jar + Seattle

Since I haven't yet found the 'perfect' next book to cure this incredibly annoying reading slump disease, I decided to reread a book I read and liked a lot. Now I'm only a few chapters in this book, but reading it makes me realize that this really must be one of my favorites. It's a very depressing book to read, but it's such a great and realistic work nonetheless. I highly recommend you read it at least once if you haven't already. 

In other news, I am currently in Seattle, Washington for a mini vacation. I'm only here until Friday so I thought I'd ask you guys if you're from here - or have visited here before - if there are certain bookstores I MUST visit. 

Also, I am curious to know what you LAST read and what you are currently reading at the moment. Let me know! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, and have a great new year ahead!